Red Fort of Delhi, New Delhi

Red Fort of Delhi Overview

As popularly called as Red Fort, it is the literal translation the Hindustani Lal Quila, and is called such owing to the use of red sandstone in its construction in large numbers. The fort was indigenously called "Blessed Fort" by its then royal owners. The Red Fort served as the residence of the Mughal emperors for a prolonged and rich period of 200 years, until 1857. Centrally located in the Capital City the fort shelters a number of museums. More than serving a home to the emperors, it also held the significant ceremonial and political activities of the Mughal government and even dealing with the events which essentially impacts the region.

The fort proudly holds the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Behisht), which also connects to the rows of pavilions accommodated within the imperial apartments. Shah Jahan was well known for his Creative inclination and it was during his reign that the Mughal creativity enjoyed its acme. This unique piece of architecture exhibits a typical fusion of Timurid, Persian, and Hindu cultures thud further adding to its grace manifolds.

The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Behisht). The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan. Although, the palace was planned according to Islamic prototypes, each pavilion contains architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Timurid, Persian and Hindu Traditions. The popularity of the innovative design and architecture of the Red For grew so much that its reflection could be seen in later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Braj, Rohilkhand and several other places as well.

The Red Fort of India holds great importance in India even today as every year the Prime Minister of India addresses the people of India with a motivating speech from its ramparts and also which is telecasted on television as well as broadcasted on radio.This fort of great importance sits elegantly on a wide area of 254.67 acres (103.06 ha) which is encompassed by 2.41 km of defensive walls which are marked by turrets and bastions which widely vary in height from 18 meters to 33 meters (108 ft) on the river and city side respectively. Exhibiting octagonal shape the fort flaunts floral decorations, double dome and unique marble which later could be seen alive in buildings of Mughal architecture. The fort is supposed to be hugely ornamented with royal jewels and reportedly Kohinoor also belonged to this imperial place.

The fort, as said earlier, consists of various museums in it and hence cocoons a long period of history in the form of its antique art. The imperial entrance was facilitated from the Khizrabad Gate and the Lahori and Delhi Gates were meant for the public. The Lahore gate also leads to Chatta Chowk (covered bazaar) and as the name suggests the bazaar has a domed roof. Being the largest monument of Delhi this place is one of the famous tourist destinations and witnesses visitors in huge numbers.